New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel wanted his team to carry a winning mentality into its bye week. But after the Patriots’ second straight heavy defeat, his comments about winners and losers prompted questions from reporters—and an apology from the coach.
New England fell 35-10 to the Detroit Lions at Allianz Arena in Munich, dropping to 5-5. The loss came a week after the Patriots were beaten 45-27 by the Green Bay Packers, leaving the team with three defeats in its last four games.
The exchange with reporters began when Vrabel spoke about the importance of finding ways to help the team succeed rather than complaining. A follow-up question asked whether he viewed the Patriots as a team that complains. Vrabel objected to that interpretation.
“No, I mean, this is what, in general, I said that winners do. Winners find ways to win; losers b**** and complain,” Vrabel said after the game. “I say things, and then you just automatically assume that.”
He then apologized and clarified that he was speaking generally about the mentality he wanted the team to develop, rather than accusing his players of complaining.
“I apologize,” he said. “I’m just saying that we want a winner’s mentality going forward. No, I didn’t mean to say it that way; I meant that we need a winner’s mentality at this point in time.”
Vrabel also emphasized that the season was not over, while acknowledging that the Patriots needed to improve quickly.
“And there’s a lot of season left, and we know how these things go in the National Football League, but you’re going to have to start playing better where we’re at here in November,” he added.
The coach’s remarks came after a difficult afternoon for New England on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Drake Maye left during the Patriots’ opening drive with an ankle injury. Before exiting, he completed three of four passes for 48 yards. The team later ruled him out of the game.
Tommy DeVito took over at quarterback, but New England struggled to move the ball with him under center. He recorded 81 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Patriots finished with just 151 total yards, while Detroit’s defense brought down the quarterback five times.
The Lions, meanwhile, found success through both the run and the pass. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was a major factor, producing 153 rushing yards and 99 receiving yards. He also scored twice on the ground. Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, although he was intercepted twice.
The result left New England heading into its bye week at 5-5. The team had put together a more promising stretch earlier in the season, but consecutive losses have raised questions about its performance and what needs to change when play resumes. Maye’s ankle injury adds uncertainty at quarterback, particularly after DeVito’s limited production against Detroit.
Vrabel’s comments were intended to underline the urgency of improving and establishing a winning approach. However, the exchange with reporters became another point of discussion after a loss that already highlighted several challenges for the Patriots. His apology helped clarify that he did not mean to accuse his players of being complainers.
The team now has its bye week to regroup. When the Patriots return, they will need to address their recent struggles and find a way to perform more consistently as the season continues.
